Multimedia Messaging FAQs

A multimedia message is message sent or received on your mobile device that contains a picture, video or other multimedia file attached. Group messages are also considered multimedia messages.

Multimedia files include:

• Pictures
• Videos (with sound)
• Voice Memo
• Street address (i.e., your location or a point of interest like a store or restaurant)
• vCard

Multimedia messaging is also commonly referred to as MMS or picture and video messaging.

Note: Devices that can record and send videos can also send and receive picture messages. However, not all picture messaging devices are able to record and send video messages.

Yes, if your device is capable of multimedia messaging, you can send and receive photos and videos right away.

The maximum picture resolution will vary based on the type of device you have. Please refer to your device's User Guide for information on adjusting the resolution.

Yes, you can send and receive multimedia messages with any wireless carrier in the US.

Yes, however, the ability to combine both pictures and videos within a message will vary based on the type of device you have.

It depends on how big the pictures and videos are and how much storage space is available on your device. To free up space, you can upload your pictures and videos to Verizon Cloud.

No, messages you receive on your device remain in your inbox until you delete them.

Yes, you can type an email address into the To field of your device's messaging app to send a message to it.

Note: Multimedia messages addressed to Vtext.com email addresses (e.g., 5555551234@vtext.com) will display as standard text messages. The 160-character limit will apply, and photos, sounds, other graphics or videos won't display. We don't recommend sending multimedia messages to Vtext addresses.

To send an international multimedia message:

1. Go to our International Messaging page and select the country you want to message from the dropdown. This page will let you know if the country you're trying to message is able to receive multimedia messages and provide calling instructions.
   
   Note: If you have a prepaid plan, go to our Prepaid International Calling page for pricing and calling information.
   
   
2. In the To field of the messaging app on your mobile device, enter the international dial code and country code provided on the International Messaging page. Then enter the international mobile number you want to message.
   
   
3. Attach a photo, video or other multimedia file and send the message

Note: Steps vary by device. Refer to the Interactive Simulator for your device for step-by-step visual instructions.

You've successfully sent an international message.

The cost for sending and receiving a multimedia message depends on which plan you have.

• Shared data plans (e.g., the new Verizon Plan): Unlimited multimedia messaging is included with these plans, and and you won't be charged for each message.
  


• Messaging monthly plans: If you subscribe to a messaging plan that includes a monthly multimedia message allowance, each multimedia message sent and received will be deducted. If you exceed your multimedia messaging monthly allowance, excess messages sent and received will cost $0.20 each.


• Pay as you go: It costs $0.25/recipient to send or receive a multimedia message (including sounds and text).

Unlimited international text and multimedia messaging from the US is included with the following plans:

• The new Verizon Plan
• The Verizon Plan
• The MORE Everything® Plan

With all other plans, it costs $0.50/recipient to send an international multimedia message and $0.25 to receive a message.

Note: Sending and receiving multimedia messages from Canadian carrier mobile addresses is considered the same as a domestic multimedia message. Each message will apply to your existing messaging allowance, or if you're on a pay as you go messaging plan, it will cost $0.25/message per recipient.

Yes, you'll receive an extra charge while roaming internationally. When you send or receive a multimedia message domestically, there isn't a data transport charge. The message itself is either $0.25 or deducts from any applicable messaging package.

While traveling internationally, the following data transport charges apply on top of the message charge when you send or receive multimedia messages:

Data Roaming Rates

• Canada - $0.002/KB
• Mexico - $0.005/KB
• All others - $0.02/KB

Average Message Size by Device Megapixel Rating

• VGA (0.3 megapixel) camera devices - 80 KB
• 1.2 and 1.3 megapixel devices - 150 KB
• 2 megapixel devices - 225 KB
• 3 megapixel devices - 425 KB
• 5 megapixel devices - 750 KB
• Video Messages - 200 KB to 350 KB maximum

For example, a 2 megapixel picture message would be 225 KB times the above rates, equaling approximate charges of $0.45 in Canada, $1.13 in Mexico and $4.50 in all others.

Notes:

• These are approximate average picture capture sizes. Creating a slide show or adding sound and text to the multimedia message can grow the file size larger to a maximum of 500 KB for devices that have less than a 5 megapixel camera and up to 1.2 MB for 5 megapixel devices.


• To reduce the size of the message, you can reduce the resolution of the pictures before capturing, or in the case of a video message, shorten the record time.

To see the countries where you can roam and send multimedia messages, refer to the Data Roaming Charges page.

Yes, you can. If you don't have unlimited messaging, you'll be charged per recipient as if you sent individual messages to each person.

If you have a Pay As You Go Plan, you pay $0.25/message per recipient regardless of how many recipients you send it to (up to 10 recipients). For example, if you send a multimedia message to three recipients in one message, the charge would be $0.75 (three recipients multiplied by $0.25).

You can take a picture or record a video anywhere you are, even outside of the United States. However, you can only send and receive multimedia messages when you're within the Verizon Wireless Coverage Area.

The file size of pictures taken with your device will vary based on the picture resolution and quality settings within the device. Refer to your device's User Guide for more information on these settings.

Note: Some devices may automatically reduce the file size of large videos before sending.

Yes, you can still send text messages from multimedia messaging devices. Charges for text messages are based on your text messaging plan.

Yes, if your device is turned off, you'll still receive messages. If your device isn't receiving service (e.g., you're on an airplane or driving through a tunnel), your messages will be stored for up to 5 days. As long as you turn on your device within that time period while in the Verizon Wireless Coverage Area, your messages will be forwarded to your device.

In a multimedia message, you can enter a maximum of 400 characters (a space counts as 1 character) per slide and up to 9 slides.

Your multimedia messaging device is configured to automatically download and display new multimedia messages. You can configure your device to notify you when a new multimedia message is received (prompt mode).

When in prompt mode, before a new multimedia message is downloaded to your device, you'll receive a non-billable notification. The notification will include the sender's email address or mobile number and give you the option of downloading the message, delaying download until a later time, or rejecting the message. If you reject the message, it won't be downloaded, and you won't be charged for it.

For instructions on how to configure your device to prompt mode, please refer to your User Guide.

Yes, if you send your picture message to a Verizon Wireless multimedia messaging device or email address, the recipient will be able to hear your memo as part of the slide it was added to.

Voice memos can't be added to video messages. The only sound available for a video message is the sound captured during the video recording.

Yes, with Verizon Cloud or Backup Assistant Plus, you can upload photos and create albums.

Yes, you can send picture, video and email messages with Verizon Cloud and Backup Assistant Plus.

Yes, changes to the online album service didn't impact your ability to send multimedia messages from your phone. However, the recipient of your message may or may not be able to view the message depending on the recipient phone's capabilities and whether or not the recipient has an active PIX Place account.

If you don't have an active PIX Place account, you'll need to upgrade to a phone that has a camera feature to view multimedia messages.

The Multimedia Messaging / PIX Place Online Album has been upgraded to Verizon Cloud. For more information, see our Verizon Cloud FAQs.

As of 3/29/13, the "Upload to Online Album" is only available to active Online Album subscribers.

As of 3/29/13, only active PIX Place Online Album subscribers are able to access the website.

As of 3/29/13, only recipients with an active Online Album account may receive emails using a PIX Place email address. You'll receive a text message stating that the message wasn't delivered if the recipient doesn't have an active account.